James Bond to Open the Olympics

James Bond will reportedly make an appearance at the Olympics in London this summer, with 007 reportedly charged with the task of launching the Games.

Bond star Daniel Craig received a personal invitation from the Queen to play the character in a short film - entitled The Arrival - that will be played at the opening ceremony.

According to The Sun, the film follows 007 to Buckingham Palace where he is given his mission before flying by helicopter to East London and parachuting into the Olympic Stadium.

Julia McKenzie - who plays Miss Marple on TV - was also involved in the shoot, although there's no word as to whether the Queen herself actually makes a cameo.

Slumdog Millionaire helmer Danny Boyle is the Artistic Director of the opening ceremony, and also oversaw the Bond shoot.

"It's a huge coup for BBC producers and Danny to be allowed into the Palace and have the Queen involved," a Palace source told The Sun.

"They wanted the most iconic British film character inside the building most associated with London and the monarch, and they got it. It will be a magical scene for all watching at home and inside the stadium on July 27."